OREM, Utah – The New Mexico State volleyball team hit .341 and cruised to a 25-18, 25-16, 25-17 sweep of Chicago State in a Western Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal match at Lockhart Arena in Orem, Utah, on Friday night.
The Aggies advanced to the WAC Championship match for the third-straight year.
NM State (16-1) started slow and held a slim 16-15 lead midway through the first set.
However, a kill from Katie Birtcil and a service ace from Jordan George sparked a 9-3 Aggie run which included the last-four points in the first set for the 25-18 win.
The Aggies served well in the first set, recording three aces in the frame.
After hitting just .289 in the first set, the Aggie offense came alive in the second set.
NM State hit .440 in the frame with just two errors as it cruised to the 25-16 final in set two.
The Aggie block was also dominant in the set, with the Aggies combining for six total blocks while Lia Mosher recorded five blocks.
Shaney Lipscomb and Victoria Barrett each hit four kills on five attempts in the second.
With their backs against the wall, the Cougars came out battling in the third and led NM State 10-9 early on.
However, the Aggies ripped off an 11-4 run to take control of the match at 20-15 before eventually cruising to a 25-17 victory in the deciding set.
